John schambrue



(No Model.) J. SGHAMBRUE.

' REFRIGERATOR 'SHELF.

No. 525,723. Patented Sept. 11, 18%

" UNITED STATEs H JOHN SCHAMBRUEQOF' LPATEN T NEW YoR'K,N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO 1.. MACE a -f oo., on SAME PLACE.

BI-R c ERA'IOR-SHELF;

srncmroa'rroiv forming m of LettersPatent No. 525,723, dated September 11, 1894.; V e a Application e Math '26, 1894.

To aZ Z whom it may oortcernr I Be it known that I, JOHN SOHAMBRUE, a eitizen of the United-States,residingin the city i i and countyof New York,in the Stateof New 1 York, have invented a certain new a'nd useful Improvement in the-Oonstructionof Refrigerator-Shelves, of which the following is a specification. 1 l

The invention relates to the metallic openwork partitions or shelves which are em- I ployed to support the dishes of food or other 1 articles which are stored in the refrigerator.

I will describe theinvention as applied with i the ordinary provision of a horizontal bar or 1 rod at each side set within the refrigerator, eX- tending from front to back of the interior at the level at which each shelf is required to be supported. I have devised an eminently strong and durable construction formed of sheet metal, strongly and stiflly secured to gether. The construction enables each shelf to be not only supported vertically upon'the rod at the end but to take hold of it so asto derive lateral support therefrom. The sheet metal is cut by dies or otherwise in the required forms, and the parts are applied and engaged together without a necessity for rivets or soldering, and without requiring much labor or skill.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification and represent what I consider the best means of carrying out the invention.

Figure l is a perspective view of one of the shelves. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of a portion of a refrigerator, showing two of my shelves in place. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an end piece on a larger scale, showing a modification. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of the series of parallel bars adapted to serve with the end pieces shown. Fig. 5is a perspective view of an end piece, showing the complete form oi the parts. Fig. 6 is a similar view of one of the parallel bars in the complete form. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of another modification of one of the end pieces. Fig. 8 is a vertical section through the junction of abar with an end piece. Fig. 9 is a plan view from below.

Similar letters of reference indicate correstrm n soaose. huma I sponding parts in all the, figures where they appear. r

The body of the refrigerator-may be of any ordinary or suitable form. It is equipped with the'ordinary-horizontal bars set in the body at the' proper levels eachside of the several shelves. Each shelf'is composed of any required number of parallel bars,-I will show four,each formed of sheet metal, preferably steel, in the form of an inverted trough, of rectangular section. The horizontal top of each is markedA, and the vertical'part or hanging lip at each side is marked A. These are connected at each end by a cross-piece or end-piece of sheet metal, which may be of the same or a little greater thickness, of L-section,inverted. Ahorizontal portion B extends over a portion of each of the several bars A, and the vertical portion B extends'down, abutting fairly against the square the refrigerator, and the bar and the shelf mutually support each other laterally.

The parts are joined by a peculiar construction and engagement together of portions of the several sheet metal parts. In shaping the parts Iproduce tongues on each which have not before been referred to. By these means and a series of narrow slits, which may be smoothly produced by dies inthe several parts, I am able to insert a tongue of one piece of the thin metal through another piece and to strongly join them by folding such tongue. In each of the parallel bars I punch or otherwise produce two slits a, extending nearlyor quite across the upper portion, A, near each end. I form the transverse end pieces with corresponding tongues B In applying the parts together, these tongues B are inserted each through the corresponding hole a, and are folded, each tongue being extending longitudinally near the upper part of the vertical portion B, one slit 1) for each of the parallel bars. These slits receive each a tongue A formed on the end of the corresponding parallel bar in line with the top A. The part of this tongue which extends beyond the end-piece is folded down at a right angle and applies firmly against the outer face of the part B.

The two outermost of the set of horizontal bars that at the front and rear, are each formed with a further tongue A which is a continuation of the outermost of its two hanging lips A. When the parts are applied together these lips extend beyond the endpieces, and are each folded sharply at a right angle so as to apply against the upright portion B of the adjacent end-piece. These several lips A A and B folded as shown, unite the several parts stifiiy.

Modifications may be made without departing from the principle or sacrificing the advantages of the invention. I can use a greater or less number of the parallel bars A, A. They may be wider or narrower than shown. I can make the portion B of the end-pieces wider and let them extend farther inward upon the upper surfaces A of the parallel bars. In such case, the slits ashould be produced at a correspondingly increased distance from the ends. I can fold the lower edges of the several hanging portions A. I do not consider such expedient, but I esteem it important that the deeper lips B on the end pieces be thus fortified at their lower edges, for the reason. among others that these lips are liable tobe subjected to strains and concussions when the shelves are removed from the refrigerator. The folded condition of these lips also contributes to increase the be cleats or other similar devices adapted strength of the engagement with the sup e ing bars.

Parts of the invention may be used wit I the whole. I can dispense with the lips and the corresponding slits b, dependin the union effected by the lips B exten through their proper slits a, or I can dis with the lips B and the slits a, and depend the union effected by the tongues A on 1 h through the slits b. The reinforcing of corners by the lips A is important with all What I have termed horizontal bars I support the shelves at the sides.

I claim as my invention- The combination with arefrigerator ha p p the usual horizontal bars for suppo l shelves, of a shelf of sheet metal having series of bars A A with spaces betw such bars and transverse end-pieces Bl uniting such bars, the vertical portionthereof being extended down so as to en; with the supporting bars to make the to mutually support each other laterally, parts being rigidly united by inserting tongue formed on one part through a formed in another part and sharply ban or folding such tongue, and the parts he further joined by tongues A sharply and applying against the exterior of the B at the corners of the shelf, all substanti as herein specified. I

In testimony that I claim the inven above set forth I aflix my signature in p ence of two witnesses.

.JOHN SOHAMBRUE,

Witnesses:

DANIEL L. WILcoX, J AMES E. RICE. 

